Barrel tap



May 1, 1934,

F R. LUECK BARREL TAP Filed March 6, 1933 FMNX EJ312551:

n m m w w m A a I! I i w ,1 a w l W W Patented May 1, 1934 1 D ES PATENT OFFICE 4 @laims.

This invention relates to barrel taps.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved barrel tap of simple, sturdy, and inexpensive design, which may be applied to standard forms of bungs or bushings more readily and with greater security than is possible with taps now in general use.

A more specific object is to provide a tap having an improved coupling so constructed and arrangedas to be more readily accessible and more easily and efiectively operated.

Another object is to provide improved means for supporting and rigidly bracing a tap when applied to a bushing.

Another object is to provide means whereby a tap may be utilized as a support for a hand pump employed for efiecting the desired pressure in the barrel.

Other more specific objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the accompanying drawing:-

Figure 1 is a sectional View of a barrel tap constructed in accordance with the present invention, and showing a hand pump mounted thereon.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view onv the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a pump mounting bracket.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the coupling sleeve and operating collar shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view'of a modified form of tap and bushing.

The tap selected for illustration is shown applied to a hung or bushing 10 of standard construction, seated in the end head 11 of a barrel, and provided with a central nipple 12 having the usual interrupted end flange 13.

The tap shown includes a hollow cylinder 14, adapted to receive and support. the usual tap tube 15, and equipped at its outer end with a hollow head 16 forming a stufling box which is internally threaded to receive an appropriate packing gland 17 having an operating handle 18. The inner end of the cylinder 14 is reduced to form a seat or shoulder 19 for coaction with the end of the. nipple 12 and to form a hollow extension 20 adapted to project into the nipple. A ring gasket 21 is preferably seated on the shoulder 19 to seal the joint between it and the nipple 12.

A coupling head 22, slidably mounted on the lower end of the cylinder 14, is provided with a pair of inwardly directed lugs 23, which, in applying the tap, may be passed through the gaps in the interrupted flange 13 and then turned so as to interlock with and against the under surfaces of the flange in the usual manner.

In this instance the coupling head 22 is provided with an integral extension sleeve 24, slidably mounted for lengthwise adjustment along the cylinder 14, and extending to a point adjacent the head 16, where it is externally threaded at 25 for engagement with an internally threaded. operating collar 26. The collar 26 is also provided with a second set of oppositely pitched internal threads 27 for engagement with external threads 28 on the head 16.

The sleeve 24 is retained against rotation by any appropriate means, but in this instance a fitting 29, again referred to hereinafter, is utilized for this purpose, the fitting 29 extending through a guide slot 30 in the sleeve and screwed or otherwise flxed in the side of the cylinder 14. To avoid accidental separation of the collar 26 from the sleeve 24, the ends of the slot 30 are preferably closed to limit the extent of movement of the sleeve. The collar 26 is preferably provided with wings 31, or otherwise fashioned, so that it may readily be operated without requiring the use of tools:

To apply the tap, the coupling head 22 is positioned over the flanged end of the nipple 12 with the lugs 23 engaged beneath the flange 13, and

the collar 26 is then rotated to simultaneously draw the lugs 23 upwardly into secure clamping engagement with the flange and to force the cylinder 14 downwardly so as to compress the gasket 21 between the shoulder 19 and end of the nipple, to thus effectively seal the joint therebetween.

It will be noted that the sleeve 24 extends throughout the major portion of the length of the tap cylinder 14, that it is snugly engaged with the cylinder, and that it forms a rigid extension of 5' the coupling head 22, so that when the coupling lugs 23 are forcibly engaged with and beneath the flange 13, in the manner above described, the sleeve forms a rigid brace and support for the tap cylinder, securely retaining the same in alignment with the bushing nipple 12.

It will be further noted that, by reason of its disposition at the upper or outer end of the cylinder, the collar 26 is well spaced from the barrel and thus readily accessible for convenient operation. The right and left hand threaded engagement of the collar 26 with the sleeve 24 and head 16, respectively, provides a rapid adjustment between the sleeve and tap cylinder. It also facili- 110 tates assembly and makes possible the use of a one piece collar construction.

To further rigidify the mounting of the tap cylinder 14, a collar 32 is preferably provided, which, in this instance, is screwed onto the coupling head 22 in such manner as to permit its being screwed down into'binding contact against the bushing 10, after the tap has been applied.

Or, as indicated in Fig. 5, further rigidity in the moimting of the tap cylinder 14 may be effected by forming a flange 32' on the coupling head 22, and by making the under face 13 of each of the fiang'e segments 13 inclined, so that, when thehead 22 is rotated, the lugs 23 coact with the cam surfaces 13 to draw the head 22 and its flange 32' downwardly into bearing contact with the bushing.

With the tap thus securely mounted, it may be utilized as a support for a hand pump 33 of any type appropriate for producing the desired fiuid pressure in the barrel. The pump shown is well adapted for the purpose. It includes a cylinder 34, enclosing a piston 35, and lengthwise reciprocable upon a hollow piston rod 36, which communicates with the outer end of the cylinder.

The exposed end of the rod 36 is provided with a hollow head 37 seated and clamped in a looped end 38 of a bracket 39, the other end 40 of the bracket being similarly looped to receive and clamp onto an unthreaded portion 41 of the head 16 of the tap cylinder 14. The required clamping pressure is effected by screws 42 in the bracket.

The hollow head 37 of the pump rod is closed by a disk 43, containing an inwardly opening check valve 44 and also supporting a nipple 45, which may be connected to the fitting 29 on the tap cylinder through a hose connection 46. The fitting 29 has a passage therethrough communicating with the interior of the tap and controlled by an inwardly opening check valve 47.

The pump cylinder 34 is reciprocated by an appropriate handle 48 fixed to a closure cap 49 on the outer end of the cylinder, the cap 49 being removable to afford access to the piston.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention hereinabove specifically described without departing from or sacrificing the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1 claim:-

1. A barrel tap comprising a hollow member having one end adapted for application to a bushing, a coupling surrounding said end and having lugs for interlocking engagement with the bushing, said coupling also having a sleeve extension embracing said member and extending throughout the major portion of the length thereof to brace the same, and an element rotatable on said member adjacent the opposite end thereof and engaged with said sleeve extension to thrust said member into closing contact with the bushing, said sleeve extension being of a length so that during application of the tap to a barrel said element is well spaced from the barrel and thereby readily accessible for convenient manipulation without interference by the barrel parts.

2. A barrel tap comprising a hollow member having one end adapted for application to a bushing, a coupling having lugs for interlocking engagement with the bushing and also having a sleeve extension, and a rotary collar in screw threaded engagement with said member and with said sleeve extension and operable to effect a closing pressure between said member and bushing, said collar being disposed adjacent the opposite end of said member so that during application of the tap to the bushing said collar is well spaced from the barrel and thereby readily accessible for convenient manipulation without interference by the barrel parts.

3. A barrel tap comprising a hollow member for application to a bushing and adapted to receive and support a tap tube, a coupling on said member having means for interlocking engagement with the bushing and operable to efiect a closing pressure between said member and bushing, a rotatable element on said member for operating said coupling, and a brace member adjustable into contact with the bushing to rigidly sustain said member in alignment with the bushing.

4. A barrel tap comprising an outer hollow member, an inner hollow member longitudinally movable therein, a hollow element projecting laterally from the latter through said outer member, means at one end of said outer member for interlocking engagement with a bushing, and means including a rotary element at the other end of said outer memberoperable to thrust said inner member into closing contact with the bushing, said outer member being extended longitudinally so that during application of the tap to a barrel said rotary element is well spaced from the barrel and thereby readily accessible for con- 1 venient manipulation without interference by the barrel parts.

FRANK R. LUECK. 

